Lee Kyung-hoon 3rd Place "Three Consecutive Days of 5-Under Par"... Spieth "Have You Seen 10-Under Par?"

Phoenix Open Day 3: Pinau Joins Co-Leaders with Chip Shot Eagle, Thomas Tied for 5th

Lee Kyung-hoon is teeing off on the 17th hole on the third day of the Phoenix Open. Scottsdale, Arizona, USA = Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Five under par for three consecutive days."

Lee Kyung-hoon (30, CJ Logistics) continues his 'surprise spurt.' On the third day of the Waste Management Phoenix Open (total prize money $7.3 million) held at Scottsdale TPC (par 71, 7,261 yards) in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, on the 7th (Korean time), he lowered his score by 5 strokes to tie for 3rd place (15 under par, 198 strokes). He is 3 strokes behind the co-leaders Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele (both from the USA) at 18 under par (195 strokes), making the competition for the championship very much alive.

This is a golden opportunity for Lee Kyung-hoon to claim his first victory. He advanced to the PGA Tour in 2019 as the 5th-ranked player on the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour money list and maintained his tour card for two consecutive years. He showed his potential with a tie for 3rd place at the Zurich Classic in April 2019. On this day, he recorded 1 eagle, 4 birdies, and 1 bogey. He opened the scoring with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 6 and 8, had his only bogey on the 10th hole (par 4), but demonstrated strong finishing power by lowering his score by 4 strokes over the last 4 holes.

The eagle on the 17th hole (par 4) was the highlight. His chip shot from 42 yards rolled an impressive 16 meters and went straight into the hole. Lee Kyung-hoon exclaimed, "The approach shot on the 17th hole felt really good," adding, "Seeing the bounce, I thought it might go in." He also said, "After missing the cut at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, I focused on my short game, and it paid off," and expressed his determination, "I will give my all until the very end."

Spieth is the player to watch. He posted a daily best of 10 under par and is challenging for his first win in 3 years and 7 months since The Open in July 2017. Justin Thomas is tied for 5th place (14 under par, 199 strokes), and 54-year-old Steve Stricker (both from the USA) is tied for 7th place (13 under par, 200 strokes), aiming to break the record for the oldest winner (Sam Snead, 1965 Greensboro Open, 52 years and 10 months). From Korea, Kim Si-woo (26) and Im Sung-jae (23) are tied for 36th place (6 under par, 207 strokes), and An Byeong-hun (30, CJ Logistics) is tied for 47th place (5 under par, 208 strokes).

Jordan Spieth is making an approach shot on the 17th hole on the third day of the Phoenix Open. Scottsdale, Arizona, USA = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

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